23: You Have To Do Some Things Yourself
While playing different games around the arcade Adam actually hit it off with the owner of this place who was around.
"It doing ok now, but back in the day it was really packed in here," Adam heard the old man and could already picture it in his head, arcades were always full from where he came from so it was only natural for that to happen in Japan where it is still popular.
"It felt great to come by here again," Adam said and he could see the old man smile, he seemed to have really liked to hear what Adam said.
From what Adam had heard this old man was running this arcade for nearly 40 years now, meaning he has seen the arcade craze firsthand.
"I don't know how long this place will keep running, things are just moving so fast," The old man sighed and Adam could understand it, he was told that the arcades were slowly losing their place even in Japan and it would soon just become a place of nostalgia like it is in some other countries.
Even kids had smartphones these days which gave them access to a wide variety of entertainment so coming to an arcade wasn't popular as they can play games on their phone or the consoles.
These industries were thriving every day.
"Well, that's just how it works, if something thrives something else will go in decline, now whether that is business or life," Adam just shook his head while sighing.
"That is indeed true," The old man nodded as that was indeed correct.
"I don't know why but talking to you makes me feel like I am talking to one of my friends, Don't take it the wrong way it is strangely comforting," The old man laughed as he hit Adam's back.
"No need to worry," Adam didn't know how to break it to this old man, the real old man here was he himself.
But as there was no need to do that Adam just kept it in his mind, also he noticed the two kids again.
"Hey kid," Adam walked over to the two and the girl looked a little scared, she wasn't as scared as before but she held onto Kou tightly.
"What happened?" Kou didn't look too happy with Adam calling him over but now his face was flat.
"Here get your little date some ice cream," Adam wanted to give the kid some money but…
"I already have the money for two ice cream scoops, mama gave me enough," Kou said while looking at Adam's hand.
"…I see," Adam was stumped; he didn't know what was wrong with kids these days.
If he was in the kid's place he would've taken the money instantly if someone as kind as him offered it. But…
'Why do you look skeptical?' Adam's eyes twitched a little but he shook his head.
"Who eats one scoop of ice cream these days? Treat the little lady better and get her a triple scoop," Adam smiled and…
"Nana-chan won't be able to eat that much," Kou answered with a deadpan look.
"Eat some …Takoyaki? Yeah, you shouldn't eat ice cream on an empty stomach, and there is a stand nearby," Adam spoke again and…
"Nana-chan doesn't like octopus,"
"Just shut up and take the money, people are staring at me weirdly," Adam said and Kou nodded then left after taking the money.
"Hah* what is wrong with kids these days?" Adam sighed tiredly while leaning on the counter and he could hear the old man bursting in laughter.
"Young man, are you sure you aren't from my generation, my friend was exactly in the same situation with a kid in the neighborhood the other day, Hahaha!"
"I guess I am an old soul inside," Adam shook his head as the old stopped laughing cause his breathing was out of order.
"Anyway, it is a little scary and sad how fast kids grow up these," The old man said after drinking some water.
"Yeah, when I was that age…."
And the two talked about how different the society has become in such a short number of years. To anyone who was just hearing this conversation, it would seem that two old men were ranting but if they were to see it with their eyes they'll be greeted by the weird combo of an old man in his 70s and a young man in his 20s talking like they were the same age.
"Ah, that was fun," Adam saw the clock hit 5 as he was walking down the street.
He had so much talking to the old man that he ended up spending the entire day at the arcade.
'I still have some time to burn, should I try some food?' Adam thought as he found just the correct place.
"One double Big Mac, one big fries, one Coke, and one bacon potato pie," Adam made his order at …..McDonald's.
'Uwaa! I haven't had these in forever,' In the end Adam cried while eating his burger. He could make a better burger than this, sure he could. But this familiar taste was something to die for.
'This pie is delicious~,' Adam actually really liked the pie and was already dead set on making it on his own. It tasted like a potato and bacon chowder inside the pie crust, this was the first time he ate it since it was exclusive to Japan, and he liked it.
Adam walked out of the Mcdonald's with the biggest smile on his face and…
"Yeah that was good, now let's get to work," He vanished after going down an alley nearby.
It was time to fulfill the contract.
***
Megurohoncho, Tokyo, 6:00 P.M.
On the seventh floor of one of the Apartment complexes, A blonde-haired man in his twenties walked down the hallway wearing black sunglasses that covered his eyes.
It was none other than a struggling actor named Kamiki Hikaru who was planning on opening his own agency soon after he retires from acting. He had already stopped acting since he was 16 but after finding out that Ai survived, he used his connections with Lalalie Theatrical company to get a role in her new movie to get into contact with her.
'How should I do it?' Hikaru thought as he opened the door to his apartment.
He was currently in deep thought about an important assignment and it wasn't about how to get more work, instead.
"How do I kill Ai?" Hikaru thought while turning on the lights.
"Should I use Amane?" Hikaru remembered the lead actor from the movie who had a big crush on Ai.
Amane had told Hikaru about it over drinks or more like the latter got it out of him, but even if he didn't Hikaru was able to easily see through it.
"No, using a proxy didn't work last time ...Should I do it myself?" Hikaru felt strangely excited at the thought of killing Ai himself.
'Watching the life leave her as those bright eyes become lifeless,' Hikaru was shaking, it wasn't fear of being caught or anything, rather it was pure bliss. Just the thought was making him exhilarated.
It was so much that he couldn't stand properly, so he had to sit down on the sofa.
"Yes, I need to do it myself!" Hikaru grinned as his eyes became engulfed in a dark light but here…
"Yep yep, you totally need to do some things yourself," Hikaru froze on the spot as he heard a somewhat rough voice coming from right beside him.
It was almost like someone was sitting near him.
But he should be alone in this apartment.
Hikaru turned his head sharply and all he noticed a man with white hair sitting there.
It was Adam.
"Wha- ARGH!" As soon as Hikaru tried to get up from the sofa his head was smashed into the table in front of the sofa by Adam.
"Look at the mess you've caused," Adam spoke like he was talking about the table but he wasn't…
"Ugh," Hikaru's nose was flattened not to mention he was missing a few teeth and cuts on the forehead which bled profusely.
'What happened? Who is he?' Hikaru could only think that while looking at him like he was a dead man.
'Ah, I see….' Hikaru understood and his lips formed a grin.
"Si senth tou jear, sisn't sge?(Ai sent you here, didn't she?)" Hikaru already deducted that it was Ai who had sent this man to kill him.
"Don't take her name you sorry excuse of a human," Adam sneered and Hikaru smiled.
"What's the difference between me and her? Both of us do not mind killing the other,"